• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Homemade Circuit Projects

Get free circuit help 24/7

Circuits for Beginners | Basic Circuits | LED Driver | Hobby Circuits | Transistor Circuits

New-Projects | Privacy Policy | About us | Contact | Disclaimer | Copyright

Home » Car and Motorcycle » Illuminating DRL and Turn Lights with Single Common Lamp

Illuminating DRL and Turn Lights with Single Common Lamp

Last Updated on September 26, 2019 by Swagatam 26 Comments

The article discusses a simple circuit for enabling the turn signal lamp of any car to carry out a two-way function of DRL lights as well as well the stipulated turn lights. The idea was requested by Mr. Artem.

Technical Specifications

Thank you for your fanaticism with electronics, this is really noticeable through your blog. I've been experimenting with some of your circuits, and everything is okay for now.

Here I kindly ask your professional advise on my project.

Some tiny vehicles have a certain lack of room to place LED lights in order to look fine. For one of those, Nissan Micra i was asked to combine LED Turns and DRL lights without placing one next to another..

Considering a small city car ergonomics i searched the market.

I ordered twin color Y+W 1Watt 350mA LED-Emitters from China, so I could combine both functions by means of some kind a controller at one spot.

And as it often happens, seller did not provide any specs for his product.

4-pin LEDs actually have common "+" so i can not drive six of them in series or implement any known driver. Please advise something useful, I believe you are able to.

Thanks in advance,
Artem,
Moscow,
Russia.

DRL and Turn Lights with Single Common Lamp

The Design

The proposed circuit which combines and enables illuminating DRL and turn signal lamps through a single common lamp can be seen above.

The circuit basically allows the same lamp (preferably LEDs) to implement a dual function of DRL lights as well as turn signals, depending on which one is switched ON.

The DRL switch is supposed to be switched ON permanently, so that the connected lamp illuminates through the TIP122 transistor, and as soon as the turn signal flasher is switched ON, the TIP122 is instantly disabled through the BC547, allowing the turn signal to flash the LED at the given frequency.

The above happens since the BC547 becomes triggered ON through the turn signal switching and keeps the TIP122 base grounded and disabled.

The 100uF/25 plays a crucial role here, and makes sure that the BC547 stays disabled for both the ON and the OFF periods of the turn signal inputs, therefore this capacitor might require some tweaking until the right minimum timing is determined.

Bigger values will work but this might result in a delayed switch ON of the DRL each time the turn signal is deactivated, therefore the 100uF value could need some adjustments.

The 10k preset at the base of the TIP122 may be used for determining the brightness level on the DRL, so this becomes an added feature in the design.

Feedback from Mr. Artem

Thank you for the circuit.

But it seems  you get me a little wrong. I wanted the circuit to drive 350ma double color leds, which has single common "+"positive and two "-"negative pins for white and yellow respectively. Both lamps are in single body for ergonomic reasons.

Your suggested circuit doing the job well but we must take two colors with common positive pin in account.

Solving the Circuit Query

As per the above response, the earlier diagram can be modified as shown below for executing the new function.

I have assumed the LEDs to be having the current limiting feature originally, therefore it's not been shown here or included in the proposed designs. Otherwise 5 ohm, 2 watt resistors could be included in series with the respective negative lines of the LED module.

Question Regarding Switchback Driver Controller

The following request was sent by Mr. Dejan Djordjevic

Hi Swagatam,
Can you build a solid state switchback driver controller. You probably know has this works but if needed I will explain.On internet I find some schematics but they use relay and whole assembly is to big. Can you make schematic without relay?

This controller have 3 wires, yellow, black and red.On yellow wire you connect signal from car turn signal, on red connect DRL (daytime runing lights) and black is ground for both.When DRL is ON and you turn ON turning signal DRL will go OFF.When turn signal is switched OFF DRL will automaticaly go ON again.So, this controller is just switching between DRLs and turn signals.You can see one example here

My Reply:

Please check the following diagram, I hope this will do the job

Feedback from Dejan

I tried this circuit and it's working fine.Just small correction if it is possible- can you add a little delay when switching from turn signal to DRL?For example-if turn light is not working for 2 seconds then DRL is switching on.

My Reply:

The delay feature is already present. You can increase the 100uF capacitor value, or increase the 10K near the transistor base to increase delay

You'll also like:

  • 1.  Car Warning Tone Generator for Ignition, Headlight, Turn Lights
  • 2.  Motorcycle Low Battery Over Discharge Protector Circuit
  • 3.  How to Make Powerful Car Headlights Using LEDs
  • 4.  Ice Warning Circuit for Automobiles
  • 5.  Traffic Light Controller Circuit [Signal Red, Green, Amber]
  • 6.  LED Brake Light Circuit for Motorcycle and Car

About Swagatam

I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials.
If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!

Subscribe2


 

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Your Comments are too Valuable! But please see that they are related to the above article, and are not off-topic! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Mayank Padm Bhushan says

    Hello sir ,
    I want to make a 12V 90 Amp battery charger with full charge detector. I have a 500watt inverter transfarmer . Please help me

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hello Mayank,

      you can use the second circuit from the following link:

      https://www.homemade-circuits.com/2011/12/how-to-make-simple-low-battery-voltage.html

      Reply
  2. Mayank Padm Bhushan says

    Hello sir ,
    I have no op-amp ic 741, can i use op-amp ic lm324 in the place of ic 741

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hello Mayank, you can use it but the unused 3 opamps will need to be appropriately terminated for preventing long term affects to the ICs

      Reply
  3. Linus Fernandes says

    hi. can you suggest a circuit diagram for dusk to dawn control. i have manages to replicate the ones that are used in automatic night lamps which illuminate a couple of led's. Do you have any schematics which can drive regular incandescent bulbs, without using a relay.

    You response will be highly appreciated.

    I have had a sweep through your blog. Your hard work and inputs are admirable..
    Hats off to you. Keep the good work going.

    Linus Fernandes
    9004805177 / 8698303609 / 9321279202

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi, thanks!

      you can try the following circuit:

      https://www.homemade-circuits.com/2011/12/simple-led-automatic-daynight-lamp.html

      you will need to remove the LEDs and configure the transistor with a triac for the intended purpose of driving an incandescent bulb, I hope you know how to do it 🙂

      Reply
  4. dave windsor says

    hi iam having problems with the last circuit with the dual drl with dimming drl when indicator is turned on please help thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      please specify the details…

      Reply
  5. J. Delke says

    I have a circuit design request… It’s an automotive application, 12VDC, negative ground.

    Using a single, momentary, N.O. pushbutton I’d like to accomplish the following functionality to a 12v relay.

    Action 1 – Tap the pushbutton and the relay would pulse/fire quickly 3 times… end of cycle/command
    Action 2 – Press and hold the pushbutton and the relay would latch on.
    Action 3 – If the circuit is in “Action 2”, a momentary press on the button would reset the relay, readying the circuit for a #1 or #2 action again.

    This is a “flash to pass” or “High Beams ON” function, depending upon the duration of the button press.

    Reply
    • Swag says

      Action 1 and 2 may be possible but 3 will not be possible using a normal circuit (without microprocessor), resetting will require a separate switch.

      Reply
  6. Ercan says

    Hello there,
    I connected 8 power leds for drl. tip127 transistor gets too hot. leds draw 650 ma current. What can I use stronger than tip127.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hello, How did you connect the LEDs? And what is the voltage rating of the LEDs

      Reply
      • Ercan says

        power leds 12V and 3W. I use led driver for each led. There are 8 LEDs and drivers in total.

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          3 divided by 12 gives 0.25 amps, 8 leds in parallel gives 0.25 x 8 = 2 amps. So your circuit is consuming 2 amps and not 650 milliamps, that’s why the transistor is heating up. You can add a big heatsink to the transistor or replace it with TIP142, but still you might need a heatsink

          Reply
          • Ercan says

            thank you. I connected the relay instead of the DRL light and gave the light through the relay contacts. circuit works very well. I made 2 circuits. I connected it to the vehicle but it does not work synchronously. daytime led lights up milliseconds late than the other. Do you have an idea to have the same reaction in both circuits at the same time.

            Reply
            • Swagatam says

              The delay could due to slight difference in the coil resistance of the relay coils, which can be difficult to adjust or correct.

              Reply
  7. Chandrasekhar says

    Hi I used tip122 and 2n5551 transistor . Diode 1n4007 using. Now problem is the led is running dim during the parking And turn indicator light. How to increase the light intensity.

    Reply
    • Swagatam says

      Hi, are you referring to the first circuit? Please provide the specifications of your LED.

      Reply
      • Chandrasekhar says

        Yes 1st circuit. I dont know the led spec but it might be 300mA. 12 v

        Reply
        • Swagatam says

          Did you adjust the TIP122 base preset correctly? because this preset adjusts the voltage for the LED, also try shorting the collector/emitter of the TIP122 and check if that illuminates the LED brightly or not. this will prove whether the transistor has problems or the LED.

          Reply
          • chandrasekhar says

            I connected the base and emmiter of TIP122. still the led not illuminated to high.. what the problem. should i change to s8050 ?

            Reply
            • Swagatam says

              That means the LED spec is not matching your supply voltage input or the LED may be damaged, you may have to buy a correctly rated LED. The problem is not with the transistor.

              Reply
            • CHANDRA SEKHAR BEHERA says

              But whenever i directly connect the LED the led, the LED glow full bright. But with the TIP122 circuit the LED not glow fully..

              Reply
              • Swagatam says

                But you said the LED illumination did not become bright when the emitter/collector of TIP122 was shorted? Shorting emmiter/collector is equivalent to connecting the LED directly with the supply.

                Reply
            • Chandrasekhar says

              Yes Swagtam, led not glow fully when connecting emmiter n collector of transistor. Than means tip122 is damaged?

              Reply
              • Swagatam says

                When you connect emitter/collector that means you are connecting the LED directly with the supply. if still the LED is not glowing brightly then your LEd is faulty or may be your circuit connections have problems.

                Reply

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • 3-Phase Power (15)
  • 324 IC Circuits (19)
  • 4017 IC Circuits (53)
  • 4060 IC Circuits (25)
  • 555 IC Circuits (98)
  • 741 IC Circuits (19)
  • Amplifiers (58)
  • Arduino Engineering Projects (82)
  • Audio Projects (94)
  • Battery Chargers (82)
  • Car and Motorcycle (94)
  • Datasheets (46)
  • Decorative Lighting (Diwali, Christmas) (33)
  • DIY LED Projects (89)
  • Electronic Components (97)
  • Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory (35)
  • Electronics Tutorial (109)
  • Fish Aquarium (5)
  • Free Energy (35)
  • Fun Projects (11)
  • GSM Projects (9)
  • Health Related (18)
  • Heater Controllers (28)
  • Home Electrical Circuits (101)
  • How to Articles (20)
  • Incubator Related (6)
  • Industrial Electronics (28)
  • Infrared (IR) (40)
  • Inverter Circuits (98)
  • Laser Projects (12)
  • LM317/LM338 (21)
  • LM3915 IC (25)
  • Meters and Testers (63)
  • Mini Projects (171)
  • Motor Controller (66)
  • MPPT (7)
  • Oscillator Circuits (24)
  • PIR (Passive Infrared) (8)
  • Power Electronics (33)
  • Power Supply Circuits (74)
  • Radio Circuits (9)
  • Remote Control (47)
  • Security and Alarm (61)
  • Sensors and Detectors (116)
  • SG3525 IC (5)
  • Simple Circuits (74)
  • SMPS (29)
  • Solar Controllers (61)
  • Timer and Delay Relay (54)
  • TL494 IC (5)
  • Transformerless Power Supply (8)
  • Transmitter Circuits (40)
  • Ultrasonic Projects (14)
  • Water Level Controller (45)

Circuit Calculators

  • AWG to Millimeter Converter
  • Battery Back up Time Calculator
  • Capacitance Reactance Calculator
  • IC 555 Astable Calculator
  • IC 555 Monostable Calculator
  • Inductance Calculator
  • LC Resonance Calculator
  • LM317, LM338, LM396 Calculator
  • Ohm’s Law Calculator
  • Phase Angle Phase Shift Calculator
  • Power Factor (PF) Calculator
  • Reactance Calculator
  • Small Signal Transistor(BJT) and Diode Quick Datasheet
  • Transistor Astable Calculator
  • Transistor base Resistor Calculator
  • Voltage Divider Calculator
  • Wire Current Calculator
  • Zener Diode Calculator

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
My Facebook-Page
Quora

© 2022 · Swagatam Innovations

We use cookies on our website to give you the best experience.
Cookie settingsAccept All
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Please visit the Privacy Policy Page for more info.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT